10 Editor-Approved Makeup Buys for Glowy, Dewy Skin

published 30 April 2025

If you're chronically online like I am, you probably know that beauty trends come and go like clockwork. By the time a trend has fully taken off, there's a new one on the come up right behind it. Still, there are certain "looks" that never go out of style. A prime example: glowy skin.

Even with new mattifying products constantly in orbit, it seems like beauty lovers come back to a dewy makeup time and again. Like many people, my obsession with getting a glow started far before the "glazed donut" or "glass skin" trend took over the internet. In fact, I can easily recall how excited I was when I got my hands on the viral Jaclyn Hill x Becca Cosmetics highlighter in 2015. (Champagne Pop was my go-to—if you know, you know). Since then, I've been hooked.

Of course, powder highlighters aren't the only makeup buys that help people achieve a radiant complexion these days. And as someone who has combination skin, I'm always looking for ways to achieve a healthy glow without bringing attention to my oily areas. While this does make me a bit of a picky shopper, I've managed to narrow down some tried-and-true buys over the years in addition to some more recent drops that have quickly become regulars in my regimen. Below, check out the 10 makeup products that help me beat dullness year-round.

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte's Magic Cream

Good makeup starts with a good base, which is why I always kick off my makeup routine with this priming moisturizer from Charlotte Tilbury. This award-winning formula hydrates skin but also helps makeup stay on longer.

My combo skin is also sensitive, but this cream is super soothing. It contains key ingredients like vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and shea butter. I love the glow it gives me so much that sometimes I'll wear it on no-makeup days, too.

Armani Beauty

Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter

Please believe me when I say this formula is like magic in a bottle. I first tried this Armani Beauty highlighter after a makeup artist swore it would become a quick favorite of mine. In short, he wasn't wrong. This glow enhancer is incredibly lightweight and gives you a radiant (not glittery) finish. I love that I can mix this in with my moisturizer or foundation because of how sheer it is. It's also buildable, making it perfect for any occasion.

WYN

Featuring You Hydrating Skin Enhancing Tint SPF 30

I'll be the first one to admit I'm not the best when it comes to staying on top of my sunscreen game. So when Serena Williams dropped this gem during the launch of her beauty brand Wyn, I was quickly won over.

Available in 36 shades, this skin tint contains SPF 30 and keeps skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. It has a gel-cream texture and contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin. The coverage is light and it never leaves a white cast, which is a must for day-to-day use.

Charlotte Tilbury

Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick

I rarely wear foundation, but when I do, I almost always reach for a cream formula. This pick from Charlotte Tilbury holds up during the hottest days of summer and never leaves me looking greasy. It contains a multi-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid blend to make skin plumper while vitamin E works overtime to transform dull skin.

It's incredibly lightweight and easy to blend. My friends and family can never tell when I'm wearing it—they just notice my glow.

Glossier

Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush

I often get compliments on my blush, and most times, this is the brand I call out. I've been using Glossier's Cloud Paint in the shade Dusk for over seven years, and it's still the first option I'll reach for when I want a glowy look. I prefer applying this with my fingers for better control over my application. The soluble collagen helps skin retain water and the gel-cream texture creates an even finish.

Victoria Beckham

Reflect Highlighter Stick

This highlight stick is literally described by the brand as the "secret to effortlessly dewy, glass skin," and with good reason. This can be worn on top of makeup or on bare skin, and the formula is creamy and easy to blend with a brush or fingers. I use this product in the shade Pearl and pair it with blush since it has a subtle pink undertone to it. That said, you could shop it in Amber if a bronzy finish is more your thing.

SHEGLAM

Sun Beam Shimmer Liquid Bronzer

I'm more likely to shop products that are made to be two-in-ones, which is why I'm a big fan of this shimmer bronzer from Sheglam. It's very pigmented but easy to blend, so a little goes a long way. The sponge applicator gives me plenty of control, and the formula never leaves me with streaking or spotting. I prefer to use this in the shade Terracotta—it's a deeper shade that's perfect for a night out.

Drunk Elephant

B-Goldi Bright Drops

This is another one of those formulas I like to mix in with foundation or wear on its own. It's a skincare-makeup product that contains five percent niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier, prevent water loss, and even skin tone. That means you're also likely to see improvement in dark spots, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.

Maybelline

Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder

I can always appreciate drugstore beauty products, and this Fit Me powder has been a staple in my makeup bag for well over a decade. And although it is a mattifying powder, it's lightweight and breathable enough to let all of my other glowy makeup products shine through. It also has the slightest bit of shimmer to it. I like to use this in the shade 235 Pure Beige under my eyes and along my T-zone to control oiliness.

Urban Decay

Face Bond Luminizer Waterproof Glow Drops

On the hunt vacation-friendly or sweatproof makeup? These glow drops from Urban Decay are waterproof and deliver a major glow. This can be used on your face and body, making it my ideal pick for a beach day when I want to look extra glowy. It's highly pigmented, but it's still buildable. Plus, it contains 3% niacinamide to keep skin looking and feeling nourished.